Red Line Report releases final top-64 2026 NHL mock draft

Red Line Report releases final top-64 2026 NHL mock draft

The 2026 NHL Draft class is characterized by high-end star power and a surplus of big, offensively gifted defensemen in the top 10. According to the final top-64 mock draft from Red Line Report, the first round remains deep with strong options extending through the mid-20s, despite a high volume of first-round picks already being traded. The St. Louis Blues currently hold four first-round selections, while the San Jose Sharks possess three.

Red Line Report notes that this mock draft serves as an exercise in potential scenarios rather than a pure scouting value board, which would rank players in a vacuum without considering team needs.

Top Tier Projections

The Toronto Maple Leafs are projected to take Gavin McKenna first overall. Following a lottery win, Toronto seeks to replace the offensive production lost when Mitch Marner moved to Vegas. McKenna, a playmaking winger from Penn State, is described as a generational talent who possesses elite skating and compete. He recorded 51 points in 35 NCAA games this season. While some concerns existed regarding his engagement and play away from the puck, reports indicate he spent the second half of the season addressing these issues.

At No. 2, the San Jose Sharks are expected to select Ivar Stenberg. Stenberg is a winger with Frolunda HC of the SHL and is regarded as one of the best available prospects behind McKenna. He is noted for his no-quit motor, elite hockey sense, and effectiveness in his own end. Some analysts suggest he could jump into the NHL as soon as next season.

The Vancouver Canucks are projected to take Caleb Malhotra at No. 3. A center for the Brantford Bulldogs, Malhotra is the son of Vancouver's head coach, Manny Malhotra. He is described as having a high, stable floor, strong work ethic, and cerebral approach to the game.

Defensive Depth and Specialized Talent

The draft is heavily influenced by a strong crop of blueliners. At No. 4, the Chicago Blackhawks are projected to select Chase Reid, a defenseman headed to Michigan State University. Reid is characterized as an offensively gifted player who controls the flow of the game through intelligence and agility.

The New York Rangers are expected to take Carson Carels at No. 5. Carels is described as a disruptor who uses aggression to break up opportunities, projecting as an eventual top-pair defenseman.

Other notable defensive prospects include:

• Keaton Verhoeff (No. 8 to Winnipeg): A giant defenseman from the University of North Dakota known for a strong shot and intentional physicality, though he has faced criticism regarding his skating agility and reads.

Forward Prospects and Regional Risers

The Calgary Flames are projected to take Boston University center Tynan Lawrence at No. 6, a pick some consider too high given the need for Lawrence to improve his playmaking creativity. At No. 7, the Seattle Kraken are expected to select Viggo Bjorck, a fearless Swedish forward with elite puck skills and intelligence.

Further into the first round, the Nashville Predators are projected to take Wyatt Cullen at No. 10. Cullen is described as a dynamic talent with high upside, though he needs to add bulk and explosive skating. The St. Louis Blues are also projected to select Adam Novotny, a well-rounded power forward who scored 34 goals.

Developing Prospects and Sleeper Profiles

Beyond the top 10, several players present unique developmental paths. Alberts Smits, a 6-foot-3 Latvian Olympian, is projected at No. 9 for the Ottawa Senators.

The draft will officially take place following the lottery on May 5th.